Pumping mechanism



PUMPING MECHANISM 77 T5. LI.

Filed April 26. 1951 RHLPH New-row E. SHEss. JR.

5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS HORTON BY KENNETH R. WEavER THEIR HTTORNEVSJan. 5, 1954 R. HORTON ET AL PUMPING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledApril 26, 1951 g m Z INVENTORS RALPH HORTON Ncw'row E. SPIE$8, JR. yKENNETH R. WEQVER THEIR HTTORNEVS Jan. 5, 1954 R. HORTON ETAL 2,664,829

PUMPING MECHANISM Filed April 26, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTORS RH LPHHORTON NEWTON E. SPIESS, JR.

BY KENNETH R. WEHVER W W W THEIR ATTORNEYS Jan. 5, 1954 R. HORTON ETALPUMPING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 26. 1951 R 5 JR R ,E 5 ON5 V Y w M W E W W v R 5 m M R T E AH H PI -m R L O E D HT H R WW T M W1954 R. HORTON ET AL 2,664,829

PUMPING MECHANISM Filed April 26, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 J C) C)INVENTORS Rm. PH Ho RT'ON NEWTON E. SP/ESS, JR. BY KENNETH R. WEHVERTHE? FITT ENQ W vw 4 l av Patented Jan. 5, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE PUMPING MECHANISM corporation of Delaware Application April 26,1951, Serial No. 223,118

The present invention relates to fluid pumping mechanisms and, moreparticularly, to mechanisms of such character wherein the pumpingoperation is effected by means of the application of fluid pressure tothe fluid to be pumped. In certain operations, for example, in the dairyindustry, it is desired to transport a fluid, such as cream, from onelocation to another. In this operation, the cream (or other fluid thatis to be pumped) should be subjected to as little agitation as possible.For example, a satisfactory operating condition exists when thecondition of the fluid and its agitation is no more than occasioned inflowing through a pipe line at normal velocities. It is also importantto avoid the entrainment of air in the fluid and the rate of pumpingshould be capable of being controlled so that it will agree with theavailable volume of fluid that is supplied to the pump.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide apumping mechanism utilizing a fluid under pressure as the source ofpumping energy and being of such character that the pumped fluid ismaintained at desired optimum conditions throughout the pumpingoperation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pumping mechanism ofthe above character wherein the entrainment of air in the fluid beingpumped is avoided.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pumping mechanism ofthe above character by means of which the rate of pumping may becontrolled effectively in accordance with the volume of fluid availableto be pumped at any given time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the abovecharacter wherein agitation of the fluid being pumped is reduced to aminimum during the pumping operation.

Other and further objects of the inveniton will be apparent as it isdescribed in greater detail in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Figure l is a plan View of a pumping mechanismconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation showing the pumping mechanism ofFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in end elevation, partly broken away, to illustratethe interior of a portion of the pumping mechanism;

Figure 4 is a partial view in section, taken on the plane indicated byline 4-4 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a partial view in section, taken on 6 Claims. (01. 103-241)the broken plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 1, and looking inthe direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 68of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 7 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the control circuits andmechanism by means of which the pumping mechanism of Figures 1 to 4 iscontrolled during its operation.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 6, the pumping mechanism will beseen as comprising a housing It formed in such fashion as to provideadjacent pump chambers H and i2. It will be observed that the bottoms l3and M of these respective chambers slope downwardly and away from thecommon central portion l5 thereof. In this fashion fluid may be drainedeffectively from the chambers when the end plates (presently to bedescribed) are removed therefrom. Reinforcing bands It and II,respectively, extend about the chambers II and i2 and, at their lowerportions, carry supporting feet l8 and [9, respectively.

End plates 29 and 2| serve to close the respective chambers II and I2,being secured in position by means of the two series of clamps 22 and23, respectively. Fluid to be pumped is supplied to an inlet manifold 24(see particularly Figure 4), the manifold being closed at one end by aplug or cap 25 and being provided with connections 2 6 and 2'! thatconnect with inlet valves 28 and 29, respectively, these valves beingprovided with extensions 30 and 31'! into the respective chambers H and[2, thus insuring that the fluid introduced into the pumping chambers isflowed easily th-erethrough at the bottom portions thereof. The valves28 and 29 receive ball members 32 and 33, respectively, these ballmembers being of such weight that they float in the fluid being pumped.In this fashion, the ball members are readily displaced by the force ofthe flowing fluid, as illustrated by the position of the ball 32 inFigure 4, but when the fluid is static, the ball members seat againstthe valve seat to close the valve, as illustrated by the position of theball member 33 in Figure 4. In order to avoid the possibility of fluidflow causing the valves to seat in the wrong direction, mechanical stops34 are provided to limit the travel of the balls away from their seats.

Fluid is discharged from the chambers through an outlet pipe 34 thatcommunicates with a discharge manifold 35 having connections 36 and 31that communicate with valves 38 and 39, respectively (see Figure 5),these valves being formed with extensions lfi and d I respectively,which extend downwardly adjacent the bottoms of the respective chambersH and [2. Ball members 32 and 43 are received in the respective valvechambers 33 and 39 and are of such weight that they sink in the staticbody of fluid that is to be pumped. Their mass is such, however, thatthey may be displaced upwardly to open the valves by the force of thefluid flowing upwardly as it is pumped out of the bumping chambers.

In order that a suitable pumping fluid under pressure may be supplied tothe pumping chambers, fluid pressure connections 44 and 45 are providedwith the respective chambers H and i2. These connections are formed withfittings as and ill, respectively, each of which in turn is connectedrespectively to vent valves 48 and 49 operated by the respectivesolenoids 59 and 5]. The vent valves thus enable the chambers to bevented to the atmosphere.

The fittings 56 and t? are also connected by means of connections 52 and53 to air valves 54 and 55, respectively, these valves being controlledby the respective solenoids 56 and 51. The valves 56 and 55 thus serveas a means of supplying a pumping fluid under pressure to the respectivepumping chambers H and [2.

In order that the pumping operation may be controlled effectively, thechambers El and E2 are provided with fittings 58 and 59, respectively,fitting 58 carrying a low level probe 60 and a high level probe orelectrode 6!, while fitting 59 carries high and low level probes orelectrodes 6'2 and 63 (inasmuch as this mechanism is directly behind thecorresponding elements in Fig ure 3, it is not shown other than to referto it diagrammatically in Figure 7).

Referring to Figure 7, there is illustrated diagrammatically theelectrical mechanism and circuits by means of which the pumpingmechanism hereinabove described is operated in order to cause fluid tobe pumped to accomplish the objects hereinabove mentioned as sought tobe attained by the present invention. A suitable source of electricityis derived from an external circuit E i and transmitted to supply wires65 and 66. These supply wires furnish power to the primary windings oftransformers E5! and 65, one secondary winding 69 of which is connectedthrough electrical circuits W to the heater elements of the respectivevacuum tubes H and E2. The vacuum tubes H and 72 operate, or cause theoperation of, a plurality of relays R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6.

Inasmuch as the circuit of each of the vacuum tubes TI and E2 isidentical, the description of the parts of one circuit will be made withsimultaneous reference to the counterparts in the other circuit. To thisend, circuits [3 and 14 connect the primaries of the respectivetransformers 6'? and 6 3 to the supply wires 65 and 66, thus energizingthe transformers and supply heater current for the heater elements ofthe vacuum tubes '5'! and 72 and also current in the other secondarywindings of these transformers for purposes presently to be described.Connecting wires l5 and I6 also connect the respective solenoids 5B, 56,and 5!, 5?, to the supply wire 65. The operating coils of the relays R3,R6, and R4, R1 are energized, respectively, by the vacuum tubes H and'12. Current for this purpose is supplied from the plates of theserespective tubes through the respective circuits TI and 18 and wires 19and 80. The return of the circuit is completed 4 through the wires 8|and 82, respectively, and Wires 83 and as which are connected to one ofthe secondary windings of the respective transformers El and 98. Thesewindings are grounded at 85 and 83 as are the cathodes 8! and 83 of therespective vacuum tubes El and l2.

The screen grids of the vacuum tubes ii and T2 are connected to thewires El and 18 by the respective wires 39 and 90. The control grids ofthese vacuum tubes are connected through wires 9| andilz to therespective high level probes or electrodes 6! and 63. These grids arealso con nected to the other end of the secondaries of the transformers6? and E58 by means of wires 93 and 9 1.

The'low level probes 653 and 62 are connected to normally open contacts95 and 9% of the respective relays R6 and R1 by means of wires 9? and98. These contacts also are connected to the respective wires 9! and 92by means of wires 99 and I130.

The vent valve solenoids 5b and 5| are connected to the normally closedcontacts iill, 532, by means of the respective wires 5%, lt i, thesenormall closed contacts also being connected to the supply wire 66 bymeans of the respective wires I05 and 5%.

The air solenoid valves 56 and 51 are connected to the normally opencontacts till and H33 of the respective relays R5 and R2 by means ofwires I09 and H9, these contacts also being con nected by the respectivewires HI and H2 to the respective wires H3 and H4 which are connected tothe normally closed contacts H5 and I 18, respectively, of relays R4 andR3; to the normally open contacts H1 and N3 of the respective relays Reand R1; and to the normally open contacts H9 and E28 of the respectiverelays R5 and R2.

The operating coils of the respective relays R; and R2 are connected tothe wire 65 by wires and through the wires [25 and H2, respectively,with the respective open contact I is and 520 by means of the wires E23and 25., respectively, and with the closed contacts H5, H6 through therespective Wires 25 and H6. The closed contacts H5 and H5 of therespective relays R4 and R3 and the open contacts H9 and 12% of therespective relays R5 and R2 are connected together by means ofrespective wires 12? and I28, these wire also being connected to therespective wires I 83 and i it previously referred to.

To facilitate the manual operation of the pumping mechanism in order toempty and drain the system, manually operated switches I29 and 30, bothof which are grounded, are connected. to the respective wires 9! and 92.

Referring to the elements of Figure 6, it is to be observed that thevent valves and air valves controlled by the solenoids 50, 51 and 5? areopen when the solenoids are energized. Moreover, the operation of thesystem causes the vent valves to be normally open. This results in acondition in which the chambers will immediately be filled with thefluid that is being pumped as soon as they are emptied.

It Will further be observed that the relays R4 and R3 will be energizedwhen the respective vacuum tubes 12 and ll are energized, that is, whenthe respective tanks to which those vacuum tube pertain are pumping. Forexample, when chamber H is pumping (exhausting itself), the vacuum tubell and relay R3 are energized. Contrarywise, when chamber i2 is pumping,the vacuum tube 12 and the relay R4 are energized.

5 Therefore, under these circumstances, the normally closed contacts H6and H5, respectively, are open during the times that the respectivechambers II and I2 are pumping.

The vacuum tubes II and I2 are passing current when the respectiveelectrodes 6| and B3 are grounded by the fluid in the respectivechambers II and I2, and also when electrodes 60 and 62 are grounded bysaid fluid, providing contacts 95 and 95 are closed. In other words,when chamber I I is filled and the electrode 6| grounded, the vacuumtube II passes current and causes the air valve 56 to admit air into thechamber I I to force the fluid in such chamber out through the dischargeport when relay R5 is also energized.

The relays R4, R3, R2, and R5 control the air solenoids so that only onecylinder is pumping at a time. In other words, when one chamber is beingemptied, the air solenoids prevent the other chamber from being emptiedsimultaneously.

The normally open contacts I I I and I I8 of the respective relays Reand R1 are closed when the respective vacuum tubes II and I2 are passingcurrent. Under this condition, these contacts supply current to therespective relay R5 and R2 (provided the contacts of the respectiverelays R4 and R3 are closed). Actuation of the relays R5 and R2 closesthe contacts It! and I08, respectively, to energize the respective airvalves 56 and 57 to cause, respectively, a pumping opration to takeplace in the respective chambers It and I2.

The secondaries of the transformers 61 and 63 provide a negative biasthrough current limiting resistors 93' and 94 on the control grids ofthe vacuum tubes II and I2, and under normal conditions these tubes willnot be conducting. Inasmuch as the plate output of these tubes isconnected to the relays R1, R4, R3, and Rs, these relays will normallybe de-energized. Under such condition, the normally closed contacts IIII and I02 of the relays R6 and R1 will energize the vent valves 59 and5|, respectively, allowing the chambers to fill with liquid.

If it be assumed that chamber II fills to the level of the electrode 6|,the control grid of the tube II will be grounded and its negative biasremoved so that the tube II will conduct. As a result, the relays R6 andR3 Will be energized, and current will flow through the normally opencontacts of the relay R6 and through the normally closed contact ofrelay R4. This results in energizing relay R5 which closes contact I01,thus energizing the air solenoid 5B, admitting compressed air into thechamber II, and forcing its fluid through the outlet 3d. Current willalso flow through the coil of the relay R5 closing the normally opencontacts I! and I I9. The normally open contact 95 of relay Re will alsoclose, grounding the control grid of the tube 'II through the electrode60 which is immersed in liquid.

While chamber II is emptying, chamber I2 will be filling, and theelectrode 63 will be grounded when the chamber I2 is filled. Groundingof the electrode 83 will remove the negative bias from the control gridof the vacuum tube 72 and cause it to pass current and energize relaysR4 and R1. This will de-energize the vent valve solenoid (causing thevent valve to close and air binding the chamber I2). The air valve 5i ofchamber I2 will not open because the Voltrelay R1 will be unable toreach the air solenoid because of the open contact IIB of the relay Itwill be recalled that this contact was opened when chamber I I began toempty.

As a result of this tie-in or interlock, it is impossible for both tanksto empty simultaneously. As a result, the action of the two sets of thesolenoid valves is synchronized. It will be observed that the opening ofthe contact H5 under these circumstances does not de-energize the airsolenoid 56 because the contact II9 of the relay R5 is connected inparallel with the contact of the relay R4 and, being closed at thistime, serves to hold the relay R5 energized.

Turning back to the chamber I I, it will be seen that when the liquidlevel drops below the electrode 60, the grid of the vacuum tube 'II willagain be biased negatively, cutting oil the operation of this tube andde-energizing the relays R3 and Re. This will result in opening thenormally open contacts of these relays, thus closing the air valve,deenergizing the relay R5 and closing the normally closed contact IIIIof the relay Rs. This energizes the vent valve solenoid 50 and allowsthe chamber I I to refill. 'Re-eontact of the liquid with the electrodeas will not ground the grid of vacuum tube 'II, because contact of therelay R6 is now open. As soon as the relay R3 is deenergized, itscontact I I6 is allowed to close. Closing of the contact IIe of relay R3energizes the relay R-z, opening the air valve 51 so that chamber I2begins to pump. If chamber I2 should empty before chamber II has beenfilled, the electrode 62 will break contact with the liquid in chamberI2 and remove the ground from the grid of the tube 12 and cut ofi theactuation of the tube. This will de-energize relays R1 and R4 andenergize the vent valve El and allow the chamber to begin filling.However, compressed air will not be applied to chamber I I until it isfilled sufficiently to allow the level to reach the electrode 6 I. Atthis point, chamber II will begin to empty at once, since the contact ofrelay R4 will be closed, allowing voltage to be applied to air solenoid56.

It will be seen that the circuits hereinabove described p-rovidecomplete and efiective synchronization of the rise and fall of liquid inthe two chambers, resulting in a reasonably smooth flow of liquid fromthe pumping unit.

In order that the rate of flow of fluid from the chambers may becontrolled, an air pressure regulating mechanism I3I is provided in thecompressed air line that furnishes operating fluid to the pumpingmechanism. Such a mechanism will permit the rate of pumping to be variedin accordance with the available quantity of fluid to be pumped. At theend of an operation, the charm-- bers may be emptied by closing theswitches I29 and I30, thus forcing fluid from both of the chambers.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to theaccompanying drawings, it is not to be limited save as defined in theappended claims.

We claim:

1. Fluid pumping mechanism, comprising two pump chambers, a first supplypipe communicating with the chambers for supplying a fluid to be pumped,a second supply pipe communicating with the chambers for supplying apumping fluid thereto, a discharge pipe communicating with the chambersfor discharging pumped fluid, first check valves in the connections ofthe first supply pipe with the respective chambers, second check valvesin the connections of the discharge pipes to the respective chambers,vent means for'each of the chambers, first valves to control therespective vent means, second valves to control the second supply pipeto the respective chambers, high liquid level actuated means and-10wliquid level actuated means in each ofthe chambers, means actuated bysaid respective high level means to close said respective firstvalves,-means actuated by said respective low level meansto open saidrespective first valves and-closesaid respective second valves, andmeans actuated-by said respective high level means and the low levelmeans in the other chamber for opening-said respective second valves.

2. Fluid pumping. mechanism, comprising two pump chambers, a firstsupply pipe communicat ing with the chambers for supplying a-fiuid to bepumped, a second supply pipe communicating with the chambers forsupplying a pumping fiuid thereto, a discharge pipe communicating withthe chambers for discharging pumped fluid, first check valves in theconnections of the first supply pipe With the respective chambers,second check valves in the connections of the discharge pipes to therespective chambers, vent means for each of the chambers, first valvesto control the respective vent means, second valves to control thesecond supply pipe to the chambers, high liquid'level actuated electrodeand low liquid actuated electrode in each of the chambers, an electronicamplifier associated with each or" the chambers, a first set of relaycontacts actuated by each of said amplifiers in response to therespectivehigh liquid level actuated electrode for closing saidrespective first valves for opening said respective second valves tofurnish pumping fluid to the respective chamber and for rendering therespective low liquid level actuated electrode effective, and a secondset of relay contacts actuated by each of said amplifiers to renderineffective the opening of the second valve associated with the otherchamber.

3. Fluid pumping mechanism, ccmprisingtwo pump chambers, a first supplypipe communicating with the chambers for supplying a fluid to be pumped,a second supply pipe communicating with the chambers for supplying apumping fluid thereto, a discharge pipe communicatingwith the chambersfor discharging pumped fluid, first check valves in the connections ofthe first supply pipe with the chambers, second checkvalves in theconnections of the discharge pipes to the chambers, means to open thesecond supply'pipe to furnish pumping fluid to the chambers when thechambers are filled With fluid to be pumped,

vacuum tubes associated with the chambers, cir-i cuits to energize thetubes, a first set of relay contacts actuated by each of the tubescontrolling the valves for admitting pumping fluid and the vent valvesof the respective chambers, a second set of relay contacts actuated byeach of the tubes for preventing another of the tubes from causing itsrespective chamber to pump, and a third set of relay contacts for eachof the tubes having circuits to maintain such last mentioned relaycontacts in actuated condition and to complete the actuating circuit ofthe valves for admitting pumping fluid into the chambers.

4. Fluid pumping mechanism, comprising first and second pump chambers;first and second inlet check valves through which fluid to be pumped maybe supplied to said first and second chambers, respectively; first andsecond outlet check valves through which the pumped fiuid may bedischarged from said first and second chambers, respectively; first andsecond vent valves for venting to the atmosphere said first and secondchambers, respectively; firstand second supply valves for supplying apumping fluid to saidfirst and second chambers, respectively; first andsecond high liquid level actuated means in said first and secondchambers, respectively; first and second low liquid level actuated meansin said first and second chambers, respectively; means responsive tosaid first and second high liquid level actuated means for closing saidfirst and second vent valves, respectively; means responsive to saidfirst and second low' liquid level actuated means for opening said firstand second vent valves, respectively, and for closing said first andsecond supply valves, respectively; and means responsive to both arespective high liquid level actuated means and an opposite low liquidlevel actuated means for opening said first and second supply valves,respectively.

5. Fluid pumping mechanism, comprising first and second pump chambers;first and second inlet check valves through which fluid to be pumped maybe supplied to said first and second chambers, respectively; first andsecond outlet check valves through which the pumped fluid may bedischarged from said first and second chambers, respectively; first andsecond vent valves for venting to theatmosphere said first and secondchambers, respectively; first and second supply valves for supplying apumping fluid to said first and second chambers, respectively; first andsecond high liquid level actuated electrons in said first and secondchambers, respectively; first and secand low liquid level actuatedelectrodes in said first and second chambers, respectively; first andsecond amplifiers associated with said first and second chambers,respectively; first and second sets of relaycontacts actuated by saidrespective first and second amplifiers inresponse to'said respectivehigh liquid level actuated electrodes for closing said respective firstand. second vent valves, for opening said respective first andsecondsupply valves, and for rendering said respective low liquid levelactuated electrodes eiiective; and third and fourth sets of relaycontacts actuated by said first and second amplifiers for renderinginefiective the opening of second and first supply valves, respectively,whereby only onechamber can be pumped at a time.

6. A mechanism according to claim 5 wherein the amplifiers are electrontubes having control grids and include means for normally biasing thecontrol grid of each tube negatively to prevent the respective tubesfrom conducting and means for grounding the negative bias through therespective high liquid level actuated electrodes when the respectivechambers are full to permit the respective tubes to conduct and therebyactuate the relay contacts.

RALPH HORTON. NEWTON E. SPIESS, JR. KENNETH R. WEAVER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 992,711 Freeman May 16, 1911 1,025,079 Wills Apr. 30, 19121,097,143 Singleton May 19, 1914 1,591,318 Johansen July 6, 19262,300,039 Yeomans et al Oct. 27, 1942

